WITH ONLY THREE games remaining in the Premier League season and with news that his latest groin injury is more severe than first thought, Shay Given is now in a real race against time to prove his worth for Euro 2016.
The Liffordman appeared to have had a way back into action for club and country because of injuries to Jack Butland and Rob Elliott.
Given hadn’t played since injuring a knee during the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Germany at Aviva Stadium October.
He made his return with what his Premier League debut for Stoke in a 4-0 loss against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday-week past but on Saturday he failed to appear for the second half of Stoke’s game against Manchester City.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes confirmed the groin injury and this morning Owen Cowzer reports in The Irish Sun that the 40-year-old may not play in any of Stoke’s remaining three games.
Last night on TV3, Irish manager Martin O’Neill indicated that he wished to see Given in action before considering him as his top pick for the summer’s tournament in France.
“It’s open because of his experience but he hasn’t played for a little while, he got this news that he was going to be involved again and I think he was very excited about that, and now this has been a bit of a downer,” O’Neill said.
“But hopefully this won’t last too long – as long as he gets a couple of games between now and the end of the season, at least I could have a fresh look at him.”
There was better news on the hamstring injury currently keeping Seamus Coleman out of action with Everton.
O’Neill said: “Seamus’ injury will hopefully clear up in time and maybe with Everton being knocked out of the FA Cup – I hate to use these words – but with very little to play for until the end of the season they might go easy and not rush him back. Of course that’s my hope rather than expectation.”
Tags: